Many of us feel trapped in a daily routine that doesn’t satisfy us. The routines that once helped us be highly productive now cause us stress.

The way we think leads us to negative emotions and often depression. But how can we change our lives when we don’t understand what is happening to us?

When we struggle to deal with a problem, a bad habit, an addiction, or life in general, we often believe we need to be resilient, “stay strong,” or “try harder.” However, when we do this, our brain pushes us back into the same thought patterns that made us feel trapped, even when it’s clear that these patterns no longer work for us.

In "The Sensory Revolution," neuroscientist Norman Farb and clinical psychologist Zindel Segal explain how our brain has two networks: the habitual behavior network (habit) and the network responsible for perceiving stimuli through the senses, which allows us to acquire new knowledge.

If we focus on our senses— from feeling our feet on a busy street to hearing a bird sing in the park—we can reignite the part of our brain that helps us feel rejuvenated and happy. And thus, every time we feel “stressed and stuck,” we can turn our attention to the vibrant, pulsating world around us, which will boost our resilience, positive outlook, and creativity, no matter where we are.

“Farb and Segal show us the difference between ‘I am alive’ and ‘I am truly living.’ They also guide us with practical tools on how to awaken the awareness that every moment offers something new, so we can live life with all our senses.” - Judson Brewer, author of Unwinding Anxiety